Who We Are

Forest F. Reeder, MPSA has over 40 years of fire service and training experience. In 2008, he was awarded the George D Post Instructor of the Year by the International Society of Fire Service Instructors. Forest authors the weekly drill feature at www.firefighterclosecalls.com. He was a managing editor and contributing author of Fire Service Instructor Principles and Practices by Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Forest teaches nationally on many training, safety and leadership topics.

 

Rudy Horist

Rudy is a 39 year member of the fire service and Fire Chief of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District. In this position he provides senior level leadership to a combination fire department of 170 personnel serving residents in 9 communities. He began his career with the Hanover Park Fire Department and then served as a member of the Elgin Fire Department for 24 years, rising through the ranks and serving as Assistant Chief of Operations before joining McHenry in 2010. He has a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University. He is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program, is an Illinois certified Chief Fire Officer and was awarded the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence in 2020. He has taught for the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), at regional fire schools, and throughout the State of Illinois.